I turn wine portfolios into national businesses.
Two decades building brands, winning the country's biggest retailers, and leading sales teams that hit the number and enjoy the climb.
The operator behind the numbers.
For more than twenty years I've done one thing well. I take wine portfolios that are early stage, overlooked, or underperforming, and I grow them into recognized national businesses.
At Plata Wine Partners, where I'm EVP of Sales & Marketing and a partner, that has meant 110% case volume growth and $29 million in new revenue over five years. It was built on exclusive label programs with the largest retailers in the country, a 28 state distribution agreement, and the acquisition of fourteen brands.
Before Plata I tripled Barefoot Wine, rebuilt distributor networks across dozens of states, and led sales organizations for Jackson Family, Constellation, Banfi, and Vinventions. I know the three tier system from every angle. Pricing and trade investment, exclusive and private label from concept to shelf, the forecasting models that protect margin, and the brand and packaging work that gives a portfolio its identity.
I've opened markets across Asia, the Pacific, and North America, and built marketing functions from the ground up. Wherever I land, the job is the same. Build the brand, grow the number, bring the team along.
Build the brand. Grow the number. Bring the team along.
Twenty years across every stage of the three tier system, turning portfolios into national programs.
A twenty year climb.
Every role tells the same story a different way. Portfolios grown, networks built, teams led.
110% case volume growth and $29M in new revenue in five years. Fourteen brands acquired and a 28 state RNDC agreement negotiated.
Built global exclusive label programs across Costco, Kroger, Target, Total Wine, and Whole Foods.
Owned national strategy and buyer relationships across major off premise retail, from category data to shelf.
Reversed a five year sales decline into double digit growth in four months, while cutting spend and taking a price increase.
Launched a branded sales division from a standing start. A 47 state distributor network and a $12M P&L.
$20M+ net revenue and 275K+ cases at 31% growth over prior year, across 27 western states.
Grew division revenue from $18M to nearly $24M across 15 western states and a 40 brand portfolio.
Tripled the brand from 175K to 600K cases. Consecutive Impact Hot Brand of the Year honors.
The numbers, and the hardware.
A track record built on verified results across every stage of the three tier system.
Recognition
At the table with
National and regional accounts I've built and grown business with over the years.
The full story, on paper.
Download Aaron's résumé in either focus, plus the executive bio. Everything below opens as a PDF.
Résumé, All Purpose
The complete track record, positioned for national account and brand leadership roles across the industry.
⬇ DownloadRésumé, Leadership Focus
Sharpened for senior off premise national account leadership, front loading the retail and distribution wins.
⬇ DownloadExecutive Bio
A one page narrative overview for introductions, board packets, and speaker or panel invitations.
⬇ DownloadReferences are shared privately on request, at the reference check stage.
Tell Aaron a little about the role.
He shares his reference list directly with employers at the reference check stage. Send your details and he'll be in touch.
Let's grow something.
Open to senior sales leadership conversations in wine & beverage. The fastest way to reach me is right here.
Reach Aaron directly.
✉Messages go straight to Aaron. You'll get a confirmation by email.